Dispensing machine



Oct. 10, 1944. C, C, KUHL bIsPENsING MACHINE Filed Feb. l0, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l I l l l l lll Il I llllll I PIIIIII'IIIIIIII.

C a m C Oct. 10, 1944. c. c. KUHL DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1941 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

Oct. 10, 1944. c, c. KUHL DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 'INVENTOR CVI/nenas C. ,6U/.

Patented Get.l 10, 1944 .DISPENSING MACHINE Charles C. Kuhl, South Bend, Ind.; Hazel 0. Knhl,

admin-istratrix of said Charles C'. Kuhl, deceased, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, oi' one-half to Hazel D. Kuhl, St. Joseph County, and one-half to George A. Yuncker,

South B end, Ind,

Application February 10, 1941, Serial No. 378,137 13 claims. (ci. 31a-4s) This invention relates to improvements in dispensing machines, and more'particularly to coin controlled dispensing machine by means of which bottles may be sold.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective device for automatically dispensing bottles, one by one, responsive to individual deposits of a coin. l

A further object is to provide an automatic dispenser which is substantially trouble free in operation.

A further object is to provide a dispensing device with means for controlling the operation A further vobject is to provide a device with a coin selector having means for returning a coin and means for closing an operating circuit according to whether the device is loaded or empty.

A further object is to provide a dispensing device with novel means for carrying and delivering bottles.

A further object is to provide a dispensing device with means for returning coins if the article carrier thereof is empty.

A further object is to provide a dispensing device with control means constructed and ar-l ranged to permit a coin to energize a drive member for actuating a dispensing mechanism to discharge an article of merchandise, wherein the discharge oi said article serves to actuate means for stopping the operation of the dispensing mechanism.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having an inclined bottle carrying reel with radial partitions defining compartments, each adapted to receive a plurality of bottles, wherein a portion of the cylindrical wall at the lower end of the reel is cut away and` is closed by a stationary annular member having a dis-l charge opening through which bottles may pas endwise.

A further object is to provide a device of this character with switch means adapted to be energized by the weight of a coin to energize an oper- I ating circuit, with spring pressed means controlled by a normally energized coil connected in said circuit in parallel with said switch means for l1:0 Fig; 3 and holding the coin in position .to close the switch, and with a second normally closed switch adapted to be opened by the passage o1' an article of merchandise from the device, wherein opening said second switch deenergizes the coil circuit to permit the spring pressed means to release the coin from .the position in which it holds the rst switch closed.

A further Object is to provide a device utilizing a plurality of tiltable mercury switches for a control circuit whereby tampering with the dispenser as by shaking or tilting the same will open one or more of .the switches required to be closed for dispensing operation.

A further object is `to provide a device oi this character with means for automatically disconnecting the coin control of the device when the same is being serviced.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having means operating automatically to close the discharge chute of the device while the same is being serviced for the purpose of l relling the article carrying reel.

Further objects will be apparent from the. description, drawings and appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of the dispenser in front elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the dispenser with the end oi the housing broken away and with the article carrying member il1us' trated in cross-section.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view of the article carrier oi' the dispenser.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken online 4-4 of Fig. 3. i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bottle discharge passage on line 5 5 of Figure 3 illustrating one embodiment of the switch for stopping operation of the device.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective detail view oi the means for indicating the filled condition oi the device.

, Fig. '7 is an enlarged view in front elevation of the coin receiver and related mechanism.-

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the broken-line 8-8 oi' Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail perspective viewl ofione of the parts associated with thecoin rece ver.

. '.Fig. 10 is a wiring diagram of the device.

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary sectionalview similar illustrating a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig.l 12 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of the device constituting the-modified embodiment referred to in Fig..11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view of the dispenser with the front of the housing broken away.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention:

The numeral I designates a housing which is preferably provided with an outer metal wall I3, an inner metal wall I1. and insulation material I3 interposed between said inner and outer walls. A suitable access opening |63 is provided in the housing at one end thereof. housing mounts a coin receiver |3provided with a coin return member 20. Also at the front of the housing is mounted a face plate 2| having a bottle discharge opening (not shown) therein. 'I'he stop plate 22 fits over the opening in face plate 2| and is pivotally mounted to said face plate at 23. The face plate also provides a chute or trough 24 down which a bottle may slide to bear against the end plate 25.

Within the housing I5 a reel 26 is journalled `upon suitable brackets |6I by means of an inclined shaft 21 which extends parallel to the front of the housing and whose lower end is spaced above and substantially in back of the face plate 2|. Reel 26 comprises a cylindrical member 28 from which a plurality of radial plates 29 project inwardly to an inner cylinder 33 to define a plurality of longitudinal elongated tapering compartments within the reel, each adapted to receive a plurality of bottles. Adjacent the outermost end of each plate 23 is mounted an angle iron 3| for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. 'I'he plates 23 extend beyond the lower end of the cylinder 23 and carry an end plate 32 fixed thereto. Suitable brackets 34 serve as means to support an annular member 35 encircling carrier 26 at the portion thereof between the end of cylinder 23 and plate 32.

The annular member 35 is substantially concentric with the reel 26 at the upper portion thereof and-is of an enlarged eccentric radius at the lower portion thereof for purposes to be hereinafter set forth. Annular member 35 has an opening therein which communicates with an inclined passageway 36 extending forwardly and downwardly to the front wall of the housing to communicate with the bottle opening in face plate 2|. One wall of the passage 36 is projected at 31 adjacent the lower edge of cylinder 23 to extend within the outline of said cylinder in counterrotational direction and form a divider as best illustrated in Fig. 4. vTo accommodate this divider each of the plates 29 is cut out at 33 as illustrated in Fig. 4. It will also be noticed in Fig. 4 that the angle members 3| terminate adjacent said vA bracket 33 is mounted within the housing andsupports motor 40. The shaft 4| of the moserve to hold the bottles against angular dis-- placement from desired radial position and at the same time to accommodate sliding movement The front of the 'ber 3l, and as each longitudinal compartment comes into register with passage 36, the rearmost or lowermost bottle in said compartment is permitted to discharge endwise through passage 36. As illustrated in Fig. 4 the adjacent bottles in the compartment which registers with discharge passage 36 are prevented while the reel is in that position from passing to the lower en d of the reel by the divider plate 31 and the angle members 3|. Thereafter, as the reel is rotated in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3 the lowermost bottle in the compartment which is Just leaving registration with passage 36 will pass beyond the divider 31 and thereupon will be permitted to slide to the lower end of the reel against the end plate 32 in which position it will bear upon the annular member 35. 'I'he construction of the bottle carrying reel as aforesaid a'ords advantages of compact storage of bottles in position for accurate discharge thereof through the passage 33 when the successive compartments are brought into register with said passage. Previous devices for discharging bottles have not had the facility for compactness, simple and easy bottle discharge, and control of discharge of one unit only at a time as is provided in this particular construction.

Referring to Figures 'I to.3 inclusive, the coin receiver I3 is illustrated as of that type known commercially in the trade as the National slug rejector. This type of construction has a coin passage 45 extending downwardlyxtherethrough and a coin return passage branching from said passage 45. A coin guide 46 comprises a pair of U-shaped plates in inverted relation with their arms 41 extending downwardly in spaced 4parallel relation and a vertical web 43 interconnecting arms of one set. A plate 43 interconnects the lower ends of the arms 41 which are also interconnected by the end plate 43 and said plate 43 is bent downwardly to terminate below the other set of arms 41. A web 53 may interconnect the free end of plate 49 with one of the adjacent arms 41. The guide 46 is so located on the coin receiver I3 that a coin discharged therefrom passes between the arms 41 of said guide to fall upon the plate 43 and then bounces from said plate 43 between the arms 41 and into the end of a coin chute 5| leading to a suitable coin box (not shown) The coin return passage branching from the coin receiving passage is adapted to feed a coinI into the return chute 20. It will be understood that coin return chute 20 is positioned exteriorly of the housing I5, while the coin guide 46 and coin chute 5I are housed in sealed relation by the housing I5 and the housing enclosing the coin receiver I3.

An elongated arm.or plate 52 is provided with a bracket 53 at one end thereof which is pivoted at 54 to coin return 20. The arm 52 extends 'to a point between the arms 41 of coin guide 43 and terminates in an inwardly directed end portion 52' which passes between said arms 41 the bottom of the coin 'receiver I9. 'I'he switch 56 is preferably mounted vparallel to arm 52 so thatfwhen'in'norma'l overbalanced position as.

illustarted in full lines -in Fig. 7, the mercury 51 therein will be located -at the end of the switch in open contact relation. The unbalance of the` arin 52 is very slight and is adapted to be overcome by the weight of a coinw59 falling thereon.

guided by thev guide 46.v Hence, the coin serves as means to tilt 'the arm 52 to dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 7 thereby tilting the switch 56 whereby the mercury 51 serves to immerse the inner ends of the switch contacts 58 to closed circuit position.

A bracket 66 isv flxedly mounted on the coin receiver I9 at a point intermediate the height thereof and this bracket serves to ilxedly mount electro-magnetic coil 6I. An armature member 52 is pivoted to bracket 68 at 63. 'I'he armature includes a projection 64 adapted for engagement by a tension spring 65 whose opposite end is carried by a projection 66 iixedly carried by bracket 68. Hence it will be observed that when the coil 6I is deenergized the spring 65 will serve to tilt the armature 62 away from the coil 6|. The coil 6I is of a strength or value sufficient to overcome the tension of spring 66 when the coil is energized. The armature 62 iixedly mounts a. member 61 extending substantially horizontally and inwardly therefrom. At its inner end the member 61 has an upwardly projecting portion 68 which terminates in an inwardly directed end portion 69 extending in the direction of the coin receiver i9 but terminating in spaced relation thereto. Member 61 also has depending therefrom an arm 18 terminating in a horizontal member 1I. The arm 18 and end member 1| are so positioned that when the coil 6| is energized said members 10 and 1I will serve to hold a coin passing into guide 46 in the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. '7 which prevents the coin from discharging into. the coin chute 5I. However, when the amature 62 is released by the coil and pivoted by the spring, the arm 18 assumes dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 7, which permits coin 59 to drop by gravity into the coin chute. It will be understood that as the coin is dropped into the guide 46 it has depressed arm 52 and that when held by said arm 16, 1I, the coin 59 continues to hold the arm 52 depressed.

The coin receiver mounts an elongated spring member 12 adjacent the free end 69 of member 51, said spring member 12 including spring 13 spaced outwardly from the coin receiver and carfrying at its lower end an inwardly extending pin I4 adapted to pass through an opening 1-5 in one of the walls of the coin receiver. The spring 12, 13 normally holds pin 14 in a position as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8, whereby it is adjacent to the coin passage but does not interrupt the same. pin 14 in the coin passage 45 is at the point at which the coin return passage (not shown) with which the coin return chute 26 is connected branches from said passage 45. It will be observed from Figs. '7 and 8 that when the device is in the full line position, the end 69 of the member 61 will be free from the spring member 12, 13, permitting the pin 14 to maintain its normal inoperative position. However, when the coil 6I is deenergized permitting member 61 to bepivoted with the armature 62 by spring 65,

The particular locationof the the member 69 is swung downwardly to engage and press inwardly upon the portion 13. In so doing the pin 14 is pushed into the coinpassage 45 as illustrated in dotted line in` Fig. 8. .This serves to interrupt the coin passage 45 so that any coin which is inserted into the machine while the pin 14` is depressed is diverted by said pin to thecoin return passage for discharge at the coin return chute 20.

Referring now to Figs 3 and 6, the article discharge passage 36 mounts a bracket 16 which journals a shaft 11 carrying in turn a -xed arm 18 extending perpendicularly thereto. One Aend oi'iarm 18 projects from shaft 11 in an upward direction and terminates inl an angularly bent portion 19 which carries an elongated arm 86 substantially parallel to shaft 11. Qneend of arm 88 may be outwardly bent at 8i as illustrated in Fig. 6. The opposite end of the arm 18 projects downwardly from shaft 11 and terminates in a bracket 82 mounting a mercury switch 83. AA coilspring 84 encircles shaft 11 and is connected at its opposite ends to bracket 16 and shaft 11 in such a way as to normally rotate the shaft 11 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed in Fig. 6. The arm 66 is so positioned that it may be urged laterally into the guide ring 35 when the carrier 26 is empty but is normally forced outwardly against the action of spring 84 when b ottles and 66 are carried upon annular member 35 in a position to be discharged through the discharge passage 36 upon the succeeding operations of the device. The mercury switch 83 is so mounted by the bracket 82cm arm 18 that when the rbottles 85 and 86 urge arm 80 outwardly, the mercury therein closes the.ci'rcuit between the contacts 81 of said switch, but when the spring 84 urges the arm 80 into the ring 35 When no such bottles 85 and 86 are within the carrier, the switch 83 is tilted to a position such that the mercury therein ows to the opposite whereby the mercury within the switch flows to.

the end of the switch with which lthe contacts 93 are connected. It will be observed that when an article such as a bottle is discharged through passage 36 the same will strike the end 96 of the switch mounting arm to tilt the same to a position wherein the mercury will ow to the end of the switch opposite that mounting the contacts 93. In the modified constructionillustrated in Fig. 5, the passage 36 has a slot 9| therein through which passes an arm 94 mounted,upon a rotatable shaft 95 extending transversely below to passage 35. Shaft 95 mounts brackets 96 which carries a mercury switch 91.

mercury switch 88 normally in closed circuit -position whose operation is set out hereafter.

n wm be understood that housing Il is of the the device. As best illustrated in this gure, linev leads and |0I are connected to a suitable terminal block |02 within the device at terminal posts |03 and |04, respectively. A lead |05 is connected with terminal post |08 and is connected with one contact of the mercury switch 88. The other contact of said switch 88 is connected by a lead |08 with terminal post |01 of a terminal block |08 juxtaposed to coin receiver i8. A lead |08 is connected with terminal post |01 and extends to a signal light |08' suitably mounted upon the housing in an exposed position as a position on or adjacent coinl receiver i8. A lead ||0 extends from signal light |08 to a terminal post on the terminal block |08. A second lead ||2 is connected with the terminal post |01 and extends to electromagnetic coil 8|, and said coil is connected by a lead ||3 with terminal post ||4 of terminal block |08. A third lead ||5 is connected with terminal post |01 and extends to one of the contacts 58 of the mercury switch 58. The other contact 58 of switch 58 is connected by a lead ||8 with terminal post H8 of terminal block |08. Terminal post is connected by a lead ||1 with terminal post ||8 of terminal block |02. Terminal post ||4 of terminal block |08 is connected by a lead ||8 with terminal post 20 of terminal block |02. Terminal rpost H8' of terminal block 08 is connected by a leadl |2| with terminal post |22 of terminal block 02. A lead |23 branches from lead |2| and connects with one pole of the operating motor 40. A lead |25 is connected with terminal post |20 of terminal block |02 and is connected with one of the contacts 93 of mercury switch 88. A lead |24 branches from lead 9 to connect with the opposite pole of the motor 40. The other contact 93 of switch 88 is connected by a lead |25 with terminal post |21 of terminal block |02. A lead |28 is connected with terminal post |21 and extends to one of the contacts 81 of the mercury switch 83. The other contact 81 of switch 83 is connected by a lead |28 with terminal post |30 of terminal block |02. Terminal post |30 is connected by a lead |3| with an overload relay or overload cut-out |32 suitably connected n the circuit and positioned within the housing i5. Overload relay |32 is also connected by a lead |33 with terminal post |04 of terminal block |02. A lead |34 is connected with terminal post |22 and connects with a manually controlled and operated switch |35 suitably mounted within the housing |5 at a point remote from the discharge opening in face plate 2|.

'I'he opposite terminal of switch |35 is connect-s ed by a lead |36 with terminal post |03 of terminal block |02. Mercury switch 83 is of the three wire type which has a contact |31 at the end thereof opposite contacts 81. and one of said contacts 81 is extended at |38 to terminate adljacent contact |31.

Contact |31 of switch 83 is connected by a lead |39 with terminal post ||8 of terminal block |02.

The operation of the device is as follows: As-

suming that the carrier 28 has been duly loaded and that the lead lines |88. |8| have been connected with a source of power, a circuit is nor-l mally closed through line |00, lead |88, the contacts of switch 88, lead |08, lead ||2, coil 8|. lead ||8, lead ||8, lead |25, the contacts of switch 88, lead |28, lead |28, the contacts 81 of switch 88, lead |28, lead |3I, overload relay |82, lead |83. to lline .|0|. In this condition the circuit serves to energize the coil 8| to draw the armature 82 into the full line position illustrated in Fig. '1, which positions arm 18 adjacent the coin guide 48. When a proper coin 88 is inserted in the coin receiver and is discharged therefrom into the coin guide 48, it depresses the arm 52 and is held in the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 7. The tilting of arm 52 by the coin serves t0 shift the mercury in switch 58 to immerse the contacts 58. Consequently, a circuit in parallel to the first named circuit is then set up through lead ||5 connected with lead |08 through the contacts 58 of switch 58, lead ||8, lead |2|, lead |23, motor 40, lead |24, to lead ||8 of the previously described normally closed circuit. This serves to operate the motor 48 for the purpose of rotating the carrier 28 whereby the bottle 88 in Fig. 3 is moved to a position to be discharged through passage 38. The bottle 88 slides endwise into passage 38 and as itis moving in said passage it strikes end 88 of the arm mounting switch 88 and thereby tilts said arm and said switch to open the contact between terminals 33 of switch 88. This serves to open not only the motor circuit but also the circuit to coil 8|. Consequently the rotation of the carrier is immediately stopped and the coil 8| is deenergized whereby the armature 82 may be pivoted to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 'l by means of spring 85. The arm 10 is pivoted by the armature 52 and swings to the dotted line position in Fig. '1 for the purpose of releasing coin 53 which has previously been held thereby in a positionto maintain arm 52 depressed. After release the coin 58 drops into the coin chute 5| and passesto any suitable coin box, whereupon the arm 52 returns to the full line position in Fig. 'I with the contact 58 of switchl 58 disconnected to open the parallel motor controlling circuit. At the same time that the arm 52 is returned to its 'p0- sition, the arm mounting the switch 88 will return by gravity to its normalposition as illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3 immediately following the passage of the bottle 88 therebeyond. It will be observed that return of the switch 88 to Fig. 3.

position will again close the first mentioned circuit to again energize coil 8| and condition the device for a subsequent operation. In other words, the device is provided with circuits for controlling the same wherein the deposit of a coin serves to close a motor operating circuit and a discharge of an article from the carrier serves to reopen that circuit so that'it is impossible for more than one article, such as bottle 88, to be discharged from the device upon any given operation of the device.

In the event the carrier should be emptied the shaft 11 will be rotated by the spring 84 with the bar en tering within the annular guide member 35 and this will serve to tilt the switch' 83 to cause the mercury to immerse the contacts |31 and |38 and to disconnect the contacts 81 vof said switch. The breaking of contacts 81 of the switch signal or warning circuit: line |00.' lead |05, switch 39, lead |06, lead l0., Signal-Nl'rlead ||0, lead ||1, lead |39, contacts |31 and |36'of switch 63, leads |29 and |3I, overload relay |32, l lead |33, to line In addition to the opera- The pivoting of the member 61, 66, 69 carried by armature 62 serves to press the portion 69 thereof against the spring 13 to urge the same toward the coin receiver I9 and thereby press the pin 14 through the opening 'l5 into the coin passage 45 of the coin receiver. As previously mentioned, pin 14 is so positioned with relation to the coin passage that it serves as a diverter for causing the coin inserted into said passage to be directed through the return passage coin return chute 20. Consequently when the device is empty any coin inserted therein will be returnedto the user at coin chute 20.

'I'he switch |35 mounted within the housing serves as ameans whereby the motor 40 may be operated as desired by the person servicing the machine as for the purpose of'refllling the same.

Thus it will be observed that when switch is closed the following motor circuit is established: line |00, lead |36, switch |35, leads |34, |2|, |23,` motor 40, leads |24, H9, |25, switch 83, leads |26, |28, contacts 8l of switch 83, leads |29 and |3I, overload relay |32, lead |33 and line 0| It will be understood, of course, that the switch B35 is so remotely positioned from the bottle passage or article discharge opening in face plate 2| of the device that when the housing l5 has been locked it will not be possible for anyone tampering with the device to actuate and' close said switch. Also, the line |05 of the circuit is preferably provided with switch interposed therein. Switch |45 is adapted to be so associated and connected with the access door |60 of the cabinet i5 that when said access door is opened the switch |65 will be opened. Thus, when the access door is opened for the purpose of servicing the device or for refilling the article carrier 26, it is impossible to operate the device by means of the coin receiver |9 since the circuit thereto is dead. However, the opening of switch |45 will not interfere with the operation of the device by means o f switch |35, since it will be observed from the above mention -circuits controlled by switch |35 that the lead |05, coil 6|, and switch 56 are not included in the circuit controlled by switch |35. Thus it will be observed that the switch |45 constitutes a safety feature of the device which will and which are relatively `penp'endicularly arranged (see Fig. 2) effectively prevents the possibility ofunauthorized discharge of articles by shaking or tilting or manipulating thedevice.

'In other words, at any time when the device might be shaken or tilted.' some one of these switches is almost certain' tov be positioned in a manner to cause the mercury thereof to be spaced from theswitch contacts and thereby to open the switch circuit. More particularly it will be noted that if the mercury switch 89 is open, the

Aentire operating circuit is inmediately opened.

If the device should be tilted while the mercury switch 56 is in a closed position, the tilting thereof may vopen the motor circuit and immediately stop operation of the device. The normally closed switch 86 may by tilting or shaking of the device beopened and this operation will also deenergize the motor and additionally deenergize the coil 6|. The same function is achieved by tilting of switch 83 as by tilting of switch 88 inasmuch as switches B8 and 83 are in series in the control circuit.-

A further advantage of the device will be ob served to be the fact that its operation` is entirely automatic, and, aside from the insertion of a proper coin in the coin receiver i9, the user need perform no other manual operation.

An additional advantage of the device resides in the fact that the construction of the cylindrical article container is of such character as to compactly hold thearticles to be dispensed and also to so hold the same that the articles are retained in operative position '.despite rough handling as by shaking or tilting the device.

Hence the simplicity of the carrier, coupled with the automatic character of the operation thereof', produces a' device which is substantially trouble free, tamperproof, compact, inexpensive, easy operate, and of highest efciency for its intended purpose.

A modied embodiment of the. invention iny corporating certain additional advantages is assure against thev possibility that an operator ,26, any unexpected rotation thereof, as by insertion of a coin by a person who is unaware of the presence of the service man, might injure the arm of the operator. y

Previous devices have generally had such construction as would permit the same to be tampered with to obtain unauthorized discharge of the article to be vended by manipulation of the machine as by shaking or tilting thereof. In the instant device the use of the mercury switches 56, 83, 88, and 98, which are of a character requiring liquid to be in a stationary prede-i termined position in order to close said switches,

illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. In this embodiment of the invention, the member which is adapted to engage the bottles upon the guide 35 for the pulpOse of controlling the position of switch 83 has mounted thereon an armr |50 pivoted at |5| `to a depending bracket member |52 carried by the guide 35. The arm |50 is connectedl with a tension spring |53 at |54. The opposite end of the spring |53 is connected to a part |55 projecting at an angle from an elongated rigid rod |56, which is suitably mounted within the cabinet and whose forward end terminates adjacent the access door oi' the cabinet. Rod |56 is mounted forlongitudinal movement under the influence of a. spring |51 to be urged forwardly as viewed in Figures 11 and 12. Rod |56 is normally held in the position illustrated with respect to the remaining parts of the device when the access door of the cabinet I5 is closed. Rod |56 passes closely adjacent the upper end of chute 36, whose upper edge is cut away at 36 to receive a plate |58 mounted upon the rod |56. In other words, when the access door of the cabinet is opened and the rod |56 shifts forwardly, the plate |58 will enter the slot 36 and partially span the chute 36 tles are retained therein. Hence, it will be observed that when the carrier 25 becomes empty,

' forward,'under the inwence of spring |51 upon v opening of the access door |26, tension of the sp1-lngl |53 is released and member 80 is overbalanced by the weight oi switch 83 and associated parts to again tilt switch 83 to close the circuit between the contacts 81 or switch 83. Hence, it will be observed that the opening of the access door automatically conditions the circuit so that it is adapted to be closed through the switch |35. -This eliminates the necessity of manually tilting the switch 83 during the time that switch |35 is held closed, as is required in the preferred embodiment or the invention.

I claim:

1. In a. dispensing machine, a. housing having a discharge passage, an article carrier shiftable to/successively discharge articles into said passage, a drive motor *'therefor, a normally closed operating circuit, means for connecting said motorin said circuit for operation of said carrier to discharge one article only, and a pair of normally closed mercury switches in said circuit, arranged in perpendicular relation whereby at least one of said switches wi11 open to break said.

circuit when said housing is tilted or shaken.

2. In a dispensing machine, a housing having a discharge passage, a cylindrical 'article carrier rotatable in said housing on an inclined axis, with its lowermost; end juxtaposed to said passage, radial longitudinal partitions in said carrier deiining a plurality of article receiving compartments and projecting longitudinally beyond the lower end of said cylindrical carrier whereby each of said compartments is open at its circumference at its lower end, an end wall mounted on the projecting ends of said partitions, and an annular retainer member xedly carried by said housing and encircling the projecting portion of said partitions, said retainer having an opening in the lower portion thereof registering with said discharge passage.

35 and will thereby tilt "wdascdeii 6. dispensing 3, wherein said retainer is spaced from means mounting a mercury switch and adapted 3. In a dispensing machine, a housing having an article discharge passage, an article carrier rotatably mounted in said housing on an inclined axis, said carrier having a plurality of elongated radial compartments therein each closed at its lower end and for the major portion of its outer side and adapted to receive a plurality of articles, said carrier having a restricted circumferential open-ing adjacent its lowermost end, an annular retainer flxedly carried by said housing and encircling said carrier at said circumferential opening to retain the lowermost article in each compartment, said retainer having an opening in the lower portion thereof registering with said discharge passage.`

` ticle passing therethrough, and a mercury switch Vmounted on said member to be tilted upon shifting of said member.

to extend laterally within said retainer when said compartments adjacent said discharge passage are empty, said articles normally positioning said means outwardly of said retainer.

7. In a dispensing machine, a housing having a discharge passage and an access door, an article carrier actuable to -discharge articles into said passage, a spring pressed member normally engaging said access door, and a barrier member carried by said last named member and normally positioned clear of said discharge passage, said spring pressed member being shifted by its spring when said door is opened to position said barrier across said discharge passage.

8. In a dispensing machine, a housing having a delivery chute and 'an access door, an article carrier actuable to discharge articles into said chute, a spring pressed member normally engaging said door to be held thereby in one po,

sition and being shifted by said spring transversely of said chute to a second position when said door is open, and a barrier carriedby said member, said barrier extending across the intake end of said chute when said member is in second position and being laterally spaced from said chute when said member is in rst position.

9. In a dispensing machine, a housing having an article discharge passage and an access door, an inclined article carrier rotatable in said housing, a xed article guide juxtaposed to said carrier and having an opening communicating ment pressed against said door and shiftable to release the tension of said spring upon said unbalanced member when said door is opened, said unbalanced member holding the-switch in Athe same position when said spring tension is released as when said member engages articles on said y guide.

10. In a dispensing machine, 'a housing having an article discharge passage and an access door, a guide on which articles may be propelled to said passage, anarticle carrier discharging articles on said guide and Apropelling articles thereon, a mercury switch, a normally unbalanced plvoted member adapted to engage articles on said guide and having two opposed switch controlling positions, and means associated with said door for applying spring tension to said member to overcome the unbalance thereof when said door is closed, said member being pivoted in unbalanced position against the action of said spring by articles on said guide.

11. In a dispensing machine, a housing having an article discharge passage; an article carrier rotatably mounted in said housing on an inclined axis, said carrier including a plurality of elongated radial partitions, closure means spanning the outer edges of said partitions and terminating in spaced relation to the .lower ends of said partitions, and an end plate secured to the lower ends of said partitions; and a stamachine as deiinedl in claimy Said 6B?- rier adjacent said discharge passage, and tiltable tionary article retainer carried by said housing and encircling said carrier intermediate said closure means and end plates, said retainer having an opening registering with said discharge passage.

12. In a dispensing machine, a housing having an article discharge passage; an article carrier rotatably mounted in said housing on an inclined axis, said carrier including a plurality of elongated radial partitions, closure means spanning the outer edges of said partitions and terminating in spaced relation to the lower ends of said partitions, and an end plate secured to the lower ends of said partitions; and a stationary article retainer carried by said housing and encircling said carrier intermediate said closure means and end plate, said retainer having an opening registering with said discharge passage, and a divider ilxedly carried by said housing and extending into said carrier adjacent said discharge passage adiacent the lower end of said closure means, said partitions having radial openings receiving said divider.

13. In a. dispensing machine, a housing having an article discharge passage; an article earrier rotatably mounted in said housing on an inclined axis, said carrier including a plurality of elongated radial partitions, closure means spanning the outer edges of said partitions and terminating in spaced relation to the lower ends of said partitions, and an end plate secured to the lower ends of said partitions; and a stationary article retainer carried by said housing and encircling said carrier intermediate said closure means and end plate, said retainer being spaced outwardly from said carrier adjacent said discharge passage, shiftable means spring pressed to extend laterally into said retainer and normally positioned outwardly of said retainer by articles bearing on said retainer on the approach side of said passage, and control means actuated by movement of said shiftable means between its spring pressed and normal positions.

CHARLES C. KUHL. 

